Apparatus for washing films



May 7, 1946.

R A. BALLANTYNE APPARATUS FOR WASHING FILMS 2 Sheets-sheaf. 1

Filed June 29, 1944 21 JZBaZZan Zyne y 1946- R. A. BALLANTYNE 2,399,617

APPARATUS FOR WASHING FILMS Filed June 29., 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuc/wtom R Z BaZZahZyne a Ffw Patented May 7, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,399,617 APPARATUS FOR WASHING FI LMS Roy A. Ballantyne, Detroit, Mich. Application June 29, 1944, Serial No. 542,647

3 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for washing photographic films of thetype which fit roll film cameras and in which the films are developed on reels comprising standard or conventional developing tanks.

According to the invention, the reel containing the film which has been developed and is now ready for Washing, is mounted upon a rotary table for rotation therewith about an axis 1 which coincides with the axis of the reel, and

the table is formed in such a manner as to maintain any one of a plurality of reels of different diameters in this co-axial position as the reel rotates.

The table is supported for rotation within a tank adapted to receive water thereinto selectively by way of-any one of a plurality of ports adapted to direct the water at a point on top of any one of a plurality of reels of different widths and at a point radially disposed from the axis of rotation whereby the water in striking the reel causes the table and reel thereon to rotate.

A plurality of ports or apertures is provided in each of the table and tank through which the water is adapted to fiow out of the tank, andthe aperturesare formed of suchsize as to cause the water within the tank to be maintained level wih the top of the rotating reel therein, thereby maintaining the reel fully immersed within a bath which is slowly changing.

The principal object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an apparatus for washing films contained on reels of different sizes in which each reel is rotated about the axis thereof fully immersed within a bath which is slowly changing and in which the rotation of the reel is produced under power of the water admitted to the apparatus.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention not specifically set forth hereinabove are those inherent in or implied from the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter to be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and there after claimed, having the above and other objects in view. I

In the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed which is constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the prin ciples of the invention and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a film washer constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, e 7

2 section, of a fragmentary portion of the washer as shown in Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line .5-5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6 6 of Figure 5, and

Figure 7 is a reduced view in elevation of the washer shown in Figure l in which a hose rather than the funnel'of Figure 1 is employed.

Referring now to the drawings for a more detailed description of the invention, the numeral l0 designates a tank which is generally of cylindrical configuration and having a lateral portion H extended from the side wall thereof and preferably formed integrally therewith, the portionll being for a purpose to be disclosed in detail hereinafter.

A cup 12 is disposed axially of tank l0 internally thereof and comprises a flanged lip l3 which extends to-the side wall of the tank and preferably is formed integrally therewith. The cup at the bottom thereof is provided with a hub or shoulder l4 having a centrally disposed bore l5 into which a pin I6 is pressed or otherwise rigidly secured. The cup at the bottom thereof also is provided with a plurality of ports or apertures I! through which water admitted into the cup may pass outwardly thereof to the bottom of .the tank. The bottom of the tank is open-and the' side wall thereof is provided with a plurality of slots or indentations l8 through which the water passes outwardly of the tank when thesame rests on a flat surface.

Pin I6 is cupped at H to receive a ball bearing 20 which serves rotatively to support a table generally designated 2|. Table 2| is enerally dish shaped and comprises a hub or shoulder 22 which is counterbored to engage a shoulder or land 23' on pin I6 slidably therewith and to engagebearing 20 at the end 24 of the bore, thereby to provide a rotative support for the table, which support produces a minimum of friction between the parts and requires a minimum of lubrication.

Table 2| also comprises a plurality of annular steps 25 of different diameters and formed concentrically therewith. The steps conform respectively tojthe diameters of a plurality of different reels comprising parts of conventional developing tanks of different sizes and makes, whereby each reel mounted on the table may be positioned concentrically thereon and prevented from shifting out of such position when the table is rotated. The table at the bottom thereof is provided with a centrally disposed recess 26 to receive projections on the reels, if need be, and a plurality of ports or apertures 21 through which water admitted into tank l passes to cup I2.

Tank portion II has a longitudinal bore 28 extended therethrough which is enlarged at 29 to receive a tubular valve member 30 slidably interfitting therewith. Valve 30 is closed at the lower end thereof, as viewed in Figure 2, and comprises a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced lateral or radial apertures or ports 3| through which water is directed into the tank at different levels therein by way of a slot 32 formed along the wall of the tank and extended into communication with bore 29, slot. 32 being of a width substantially equal to the diameter of the apertures 3| such that the slot communicates with but one of the apertures for a given setting of the valve. Slot 32 also is formed such that the water is directed into the tank along a path disposed radially of the center of the tank. by a distance of one and one quarter inches, for example.

In order to selectively set the several ports 3| in registered alignment with slot 32, valve 30 com prises a plurality of radial projections 33 each of which corresponds respectively to one of the plurality of ports 3| such that one of the apertures 3| is registered with the slot 32 each time a key 34 preferably formed integrally with oneof the projections is moved into one of a plurality of key slots 35 each of which corresponds respectively to one of the projections 33 or apertures 3|. Key 34 serves to lock the valve against rotation within bore 29, thus maintaining a set position of the valve. It will be obvious that, if desired, indicia carried by one or more of the projections 33 and tank portion I may be employed to indicate the particular aperture 3| registered with the slot 32 at any time, and the indicia may read in terms of reel widths, for example.

The upper end of valve 30 is reduced in diameter at 36 to receive a funnel 31 interfittingly therewith, or if desired, is adapted. to receive a rubber hose 38 as illustrated in Figure 7. In either case, water is adaptedv to be supplied to the valve from any suitable source such as the household water faucet, for example.

In operation, let it be assumed that a reel containing developed film, such as the reel indicated by the dashed lines 39 of Figure 2, is mounted on table 2| on the step 25 corresponding to the diameter of the reel and that valve 30 is adjusted such that the uppermost aperture 3| corresponding to the width of reel 39 is registered with slot, 32.

With the apparatus adjusted in this manner, when water is passed through the funnel 31 or hose 38, as the case may be, the water passes through valve 30, upper aperture 3|, slot 32' into the tank Ill, and then strikes on top of the reel at a point disposed one, and one quarter inches from the axis thereof, as explained in the. forein The water in striking the reel eccentrically thereof causes the table to rotate, and the water passes through the layers of film on the reel, through apertures 21 in table 2.1-, through. apertures ll in cup l2, and thence outwardly of the tank by way of slots |8.. Apertures areformed of such size as to restrict the fiow of water therethrough to the end that the water fills the tank to the level of the top of the reel therein and is maintained at this level, the flow of water for this purpose being controlled at the faucet or water source in any convenient manner.

In the event that it is desired to wash a film contained on a reel of shorter width than reel 39, valve 30 is moved axially of bore 29 to move key 34 out of the key slot 35 with which it is associated at the instant, and the valve is rotated to a position which directs the water into the tank at the proper height above the shorter reel mounted on the table therein. This position being located, the valve is now moved axially to insert the key 34 into the key slot adjacent thereto, thus locking the valve in position. These adjustments being made, the reel is now set for the washing operation as described in the foregoing.

It should now be apparent that a film washing apparatus has been provided which is particularly well suited for use by amateur photographers who have their own equipment and who do their own developing for the reason that the apparatus readily is adaptable for use with reels of different sizes, it being well known that different films are of different widths, a 116 film, for example, being one quarter of an inch wider than a 120 film. Moreover, in the use of the apparatus, the film is agitated within the bath by being rotated therein and the bath is constantly changing while maintaining the film fully immersed therein, thereby providing an arrangement which is susceptible of producing a thorough washing of the film. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises rela tively few parts, requires a minimum of adjustments in use and possesses the desired qualities of ruggedness, reliability of operation, and economy of construction.

While the invention has been described in particularity with respect to an example thereof which gives satisfactory results, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains that the same is susceptible of additional embodiments, variations, and additions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus for washing films contained on reels comprising, in combination, a tank, a table mounted for rotation therein about an axis disposed centrally thereof, means formed on said table for supporting any one of a plurality of reels of different diameters and widths co-axially thereon for rotation therewith, and means associated with the tank for selectively admitting water thereinto at any one of a plurality of points disposed at different distances above the table according to the width of the reel mounted thereon, said last named means being formed in such a manner as to direct the water into the tank on top of the reel therein and eccentrically of the reel, thereby to cause the table and reel to rotate.

2. An apparatus for washing films comprising a tank, said tank being provided with a drain, a rotary film supporting table mounted in the tank, a vertical formation at one side of the tank, said formation being hollow, a hollow rotor mounted for rotation in the formation, saidhollow formation being formed with a vertical slot communieating with the interior of the formation with the interior of the tank, said slot being disposed on a vertical plane off-center with respect to the table,

said rotor being provided with a fluid entrance and having an opening through which fluid can pass from the rotor to the slot and into the tank.

3. Apparatus for washing films contained on reels comprising, in combination, a cylindrical tank, a cup member supported thereby and disposed internally thereof and coaxially therewith, a dish-shaped table, means including at least one ball bearing for supporting said table for rotation on said cup member about an axis disposed axially thereof, a lateral projection on said tank, valve means supported by said projection and settable at will to different settings for admitting water into the tank at different distances above the table corresponding respectively to said settings, at least one aperture in the table for passing the water in the tank to the cup member, at least one aperture in the cup member for passing the Water outwardly thereof, and a plurality of annular steps formed concentrically of the table and adapted to receive selectively a plurality of reels of different diameters corresponding respectively thereto.

ROY A. BALLANTYNE. 

